The Roxy have expanded their 50th anniversary celebrations, announcing a series of new events and festivities taking place this September in conjunction with the historic milestone. In an LA Times front-page feature highlighting the initial wave of “Roxy50” activity, it was announced that Neil Young with Crazy Horse would play a special benefit show at the club on September 20. Now, a second night has been added in their return to The Roxy, taking place September 21. These performances occur exactly fifty years to the day after Young opened The Roxy, headlining the club’s first-ever shows during a multi-night run in September 1973. Both events, September 20 and 21, will benefit The Painted Turtle and Bridge School.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Roxy owner Lou Adler will curate an upcoming ‘Live At The Roxy’ compilation album, featuring legendary recordings made at The Roxy by Young, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, The Ramones, Nicolette Larson, George Benson, Warren Zevon, Brian Wilson and many more. The compilation will initially be available to listen to at The GRAMMY Museum's upcoming The ROXY: 50 and Still Rockin’ exhibit; and available for purchase to benefit MusiCares. Find out more information here. This collection of live recordings spans back to the earliest days of The Roxy, which was co-founded in 1973 by Adler and live music pioneer Elmer Valentine; largely credited with putting the Sunset Strip on the map after opening the Whisky A Go-Go and the Rainbow Bar & Grill, in addition to The Roxy.
The GRAMMY Museum will also open their The ROXY: 50 and Still Rockin’ exhibit next month, as previously shared with the initial group of festivities. An opening night celebration has been announced for Sunday September 17 with a special film screening, a rooftop reception and a panel featuring Cisco Adler (musician, songwriter, producer), Paul Tollett (president/CEO of Goldenvoice and co-founder of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival), Allison Hagendorf (music journalist, media personality, & host of “The Allison Hagendorf Show”), Steve Appleford (LA Times music journalist) and Julie Pilat (award-winning music, media and digital entertainment executive). More details and ticket information are available here. The City of West Hollywood will present Lou Adler and Nic Adler in conversation for the City’s Artists & Icons series on September 12, 2023 at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room. The event coincides with the debut of a photographic exhibit about the Roxy’s 50th Anniversary at the adjacent West Hollywood Library, curated by Jason Emmons and accompanied by written anecdotes from key players. The exhibit is free and open to the public through May 2024 during the library’s open hours. RSVP for Artists & Icons will open on September 1 at www.weho.org/arts.
Hailed in the LA Times for its place as “both a hallowed venue where rock gods minted their legends and a still-thriving venue at the heart of the city’s musical nightlife,” The Roxy will also highlight top emerging talent throughout its 50th anniversary celebrations. Today, the club has announced a performance by Los Angeles’ own Wallows, which will take place September 23. Register now through tomorrow at 10pm PT to be randomly selected to purchase tickets (beginning August 22 at 10am PT). The Roxy have also announced a night of Stephen Marley performing his father Bob Marley’s legendary album ‘Live at Roxy,' recorded at the club in 1976, which will take place September 24. Tickets for Stephen Marley at The Roxy will be available August 18 at 10am PT here. Additional performances during the fall celebrations will include d4vd (September 6), it’s murph (September 8), Keke Palmer (September 11), Paris Texas (October 1), Better Lovers (October 15), Tigers Jaw (October 16), underscores (October 25), STRFKR (October 27), Nation of Language (October 28), Unknown Mortal Orchestra (November 6), Saint Levant (November 10) and Dillon Francis (November 30). The Roxy will be running a ticket giveaway for select shows (excluding the Neil Young with Crazy Horse benefit shows), taking place from today (August 15) through August 30. More information available here.
The Roxy have hosted many of the biggest names in music at early stages of their careers over the past 50 years and continues to be a career defining moment for emerging talent. In addition to the astounding list of musical performers above, the club is also where Adler launched The Rocky Horror Show in the US, to an opening night audience that included Jack Nicholson, Cher, Mick Jagger and John Lennon. It has also played a pivotal role in the careers of comedians like Cheech & Chong, Paul Reubens and Richard Pryor. In September 1973, the club was co-founded by Adler and Valentine, with music industry legends Elliot Roberts, David Geffen, Bill Graham and Peter Asher participating as investors and/or consultants.
